Road trip? Better take your own food

[Rustyt1953]

when Waffle House folds it will be heralded by the four horsemen.

 

[rockquarry]

Here is a tip.


Why eat at any of those places??

You make a good point.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The boys and I have McDonald's frequent fryer miles.

 

[LVSteve]

Here is a tip.


Why eat at any of those places??

I tend to agree, but because of the distances between civilization out West, it's often all there is or all that is open.

For example, if we leave Vegas for Phoenix and take the most direct route, there is lots of food in Kingman (~110 miles), but after that it gets flaky. Wikieup is 161 miles away with one restaurant, but then there is nothing until Wickenburg, 236 miles. Leave Vegas after work and tell me where you are going to eat. Then there is the "how long do I want to stop" question. The Cracker Barrel in Kingman is usually slammed.

When we did our run to Texas last Christmas, we noted that a bunch of the 'towns' next to I-40 were really collections of trailers near to some railroad facility or were actually reservation settlements. Many of the signs for the 'towns' off I-40 between Flagstaff and Albuquerque had no indication of food at all.

 

[Xfuzz]

Traveling in Texas a town can have a population
of 200 folks and it will 2 BBQ joints and 3 Mexican restaurants.
Dairy Queen in near every small Texas town.

 

[coltle6920]

I don't stop for food unless I needed to stop for gas and then it's to go. Amazing how far I can go on cigarettes and coffee.

Good food? Follow the big rigs.

 

[SMSgt]

I hear Cracker Barrel is shutting down a number of locations. They have new management and a new menu not quite as good as the old one. Waffle House is referred to by my sons as. "The Mother Ship"

I haven't been back to Cracker Barrel since it dropped the Sunrise Sampler. No road trip would depend on Denny's or McDonalds for this guy.

 

[Walkin Horse]

We stopped at some place in Moses Lake Wa last month. Terrible awful Mom and Pop place. It was so bad I have put out of my mind what I ate. It had an old trolley car hooked to it.

 

[DWalt]

Traveling in Texas a town can have a population
of 200 folks and it will 2 BBQ joints and 3 Mexican restaurants. Dairy Queen in near every small Texas town.

That is pretty much true, but I would raise the minimum population to about 2000 to rate a DQ or a Subway. The wide-spot-in-the-road, no stop light Texas towns might have one or two small local eateries, often Mexican. I go through many small Texas towns.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Couple of years ago I purchased a 12V portable cooler for use on road trips. Also has a 120V plug-in for overnight in motels. Stock up at the deli counter with meats, cheeses, salads. Make sure to have plastic utensils and paper plates. Plenty of chilled beverages, in addition to the thermos bottle of coffee of course.

Highway rest areas can be very nice. Easy to get off and on the highway. Kick back, relax, have a little walk to ease the joints, enjoy a light meal, throw the trash in a receptacle, continue the journey.

Restaurant meals typically about $15 per head, fast food joints at least $10 per mouth to feed. A hassle to get in and out, find your way back to the highway. Why not relax and enjoy the day?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Sorry, duplicate post.

 

[zeke]

The boys and I have McDonald's frequent fryer miles.

actually read the receipt from Mds. If you take a brief survey using the receipt number at the identified website, you get a confirmation code. The code is good for a free sandwich of equal/less value than the one ya bought.

Have not noticed any additional ads.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Here in NJ the diners are disappearing, there's a bank where my favorite was, another is now a seafood place.
The 2 Subways in my town have closed, last time I ate at one it was blah!

 

[Greyman50]

Do not eat Any fast food, knew way to many managers and many horror stories, no thanks. Internet is great for finding good places close to the interstate. Metro Diner Used to be good.

 

[zeke]

Haven't been on a road trip (car/truck) longer than 60 miles in quite some time. . Happens to be the roundtrip distance to health clinic and indoor range. Don't travel well and don't tolerate it.

The local Mexican restaurant i used to depend on for quality/inexpensive take out got consolidated and expensive/long wait.

Micky d's still had the $5.00 meal deal last time i went, and the local grocery store now has $5.00 smaller subs with lots of meat. If needing to pack a quick snack, it be a banana and 2 hard boiled eggs.

 

[pawngal]

Cracker Barrel, never again, after somewhere in AZ getting GREEN scrambled eggs.
Denny's, pass
McDonalds, maybe, if I'm wanting some quick fries.
I do usually pack a cooler with some sandwiches and fruit.

 

[Stumpnov]

When we did our run to Texas last Christmas, we noted that a bunch of the 'towns' next to I-40 were really collections of trailers near to some railroad facility or were actually reservation settlements. Many of the signs for the 'towns' off I-40 between Flagstaff and Albuquerque had no indication of food at all.

You missed some great eats! Relic Road in Winslow gave me one of the best pastrami sandwiches I have had west of the Mississippi, and the chupacabra eggs are something everyone should try. Plus you can get your picture taken on the Corner.

The El Rancho in Gallup is an old Western filming local and does a heck of a steak sandwich

The Junkyard Brewery in Gallup is the site of an old Junkyard and much of the interior is incorporated from that. The BBQ is great, especially if you go when they have duck.

You also would have passed Laguna Burger, which some people consider the finest Green Chile burger in the state (I am not one of them, but still...)

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[Puller]

Seems every town over 1500 people has a Sonic Drive In in Mississippi.

 

[AugieTN]

Love's gas stations are pretty good for fast food. Either from their hot food area or the attached fast food restaurant.